Are you ready! It's LAUNCH TIME!!! Introducing WikiMommy.com!

As many of you know, I've been working super hard over the last month with Lexie from voiceBoks.com creating a brand new information resource website for moms.

We've done a great job keeping this new site TOP SECRET (except for the one smarty pants who figured it out ... Rosann!! lol!!)

And we're now ready to let a few mommies in to take a peek!

Want to see why I'm so excited right now??  We're launching our new website TODAY!!  Right NOW!!

Here's the link ...

www.WikiMommy.com

Please note ... we've been working super hard the last month developing the structure and framework.  As this new site is very different than a traditional blog, Lexie and I both had to learn a lot to build this site.  We're thrilled with how it's coming together.

However... we're now just launching phase 1.  When you enter the site, you'll see many pages still do not have content.  We'd love for you to contribute where you can.  This is a WIKI ... just like Wikipedia.com.  But unlike Wikipedia, WikiMommy is geared towards moms.  It's a site by moms, for moms.  And we want all moms to feel encouraged and comfortable contributing.

So why are you still reading this post?  Hop on over and check out the new site!  And please, feel free to contribute and post some articles.

Also ... if you run into any problems, ie ... typos, links not working correctly, or any other issues ... please be sure to let us know.  Please email us at wikimommy@gmail.com.

Thank you so much for your continued support over the last month while I was super busy and not so reachable!!  Lexie and I hope that you enjoy our new site as much as we've enjoyed building it for you!!

{Daily Mom-ME Moment} Celebrate! And eat LOTS of Cake!!

Today's a great day to celebrate!!  It's my birthday!!  Yeay!!!

So ... I think we should all celebrate .. and eat lots of cake!

Plus ... there's another reason to celebrate ... for the past month I've been working really hard on a brand new website.  This was a HUGE project!!  Together with Lexie Lane from voiceBoks.com, we're so excited to be bringing all mommies a brand new information resource!!

And we're going to be launching it TODAY!!  Hooray!!

I've got to get back to it though, because it's not quite done yet.  But it will be in a few hours.  So stay tuned!!  It's going to be AWESOME!!

Today, find something to wonderful to celebrate ... and eat lots of cake!
xoxoxo
Ro :)

{Daily Mom-ME Moment} Do Something Crafty!

I learned something yesterday. I learned that in the off season, it’s impossible to find cute Bride & Groom baseball caps.

My sister-in-law is getting married tomorrow, and we’re hosting a rehearsal dinner for them tonight. Well ... you can’t have a rehearsal dinner without Bride & Groom hats!!

I must have called 6 different stores yesterday to try and find them ... but unfortunately, October is not the time to be buying certain wedding supplies.

But have no fear ... I brought out my crafty side! Out came the sparkly puffy paint, the ribbon, and the fun foam letters. I bought plain 2 baseball caps, and I was off to work!

I used to craft all the time ... but I really don’t do it very much anymore. I’ll do some crafts with the kids, but it’s not just me hanging out crafting. That I haven’t done in years!!

I must admit ... I had a great time at it yesterday. I was enjoying using my crafty side, and creating something really special for my sister-in-law ... and my soon to be new brother-in-law. I hope they will really enjoy their new hats.

And you know what ... when I was finished, I was so glad that I didn’t just go the store and buy the hats. My crafted ones turned out amazing! And I hope they will be so much more special this way.

Do you like to craft? Today’s crafting day!! Go get out some puffy paint and sparkles. Make something pretty today! Enjoy your moment!

{Daily Mom-ME Moment} It's Salon Day!! Yeay!!

I’m so excited! I’m going to the hair salon today!!

I have to admit ... normally I do my hair myself. I buy the color boxes from the grocery store ... and my hubby cuts my hair. (It’s amazing the things you can learn on YouTube!!)

But I’ve got a wedding this weekend. Hubby’s sister is getting married and I’m a bridesmaid.

I’ve got a gorgeous dress to wear (thanks Fran! I know you’re reading this!!) and I want my hair to look just perfect. So I’m off to the salon this afternoon. I’m so excited!! It’s been years since I’ve had my hair done professionally!!

Join me! Go to the salon today. Get your hair colored or cut. Maybe even try a new color or a new style. Or you could even just get a nice blow dry ... or your nails done. Do something today to spoil yourself at the salon. It’ll be so fun!!

You deserve to spend your Mom-ME Moment today at the salon! xoxo

{October 13, 2011} Alexa Drop Hop

It's time for this week's Alexa Drop Hop!

Alexa is very important when looking at website popularity. Basically, the lower your Alexa ranking, the more popular your site is. So ... we all want our Alexa rankings to DROP!

{Daily Mom-ME Moment}Clean Out Your Car Today!

If you’re anything like me ... and you’ve got kids ... and you take your kids lots of places ... then you probably have a messy car.

What makes kids and car drives easier (other than a TV in the car??) Cheerios. Chewy bars. Rice Krispie treats. Yogurt tubes.

You name it ... it’s in my car right now!

I like to think that I keep my house fairly tidy. I mean ... it’s certainly not spotless ... but we try to keep it neat. We have a cleaning lady that comes every 2 weeks to vacuum, wash the floors and toilets ... and I do my best to keep the house looking nice. (At least as nice as it can be with 3 kids!!)

But my car is another story.

I have the mom’s mini-van. A Toyota Sienna. I really like it! It drives well and it doesn’t feel too big when I drive. We haven’t had any major issues with it. And it’s comfy with all our kids and gear.

But oh boy is it a mess right now!!! I’d take a picture to post ... but I’m quite ashamed at the state of my car right now.

It’s gotten to the point that I need to deal with it. So ... I’m off to go clean out my car. I have to take out a huge garbage bag for all the garbage ... and some car cleaner to clean off all the dust ... and then I’ll give it a good vacuum.

Join me! I know this isn’t the fun-set Mom-ME Moment ... but it’s going to feel great when we’re done! Clean out your car. Today ... all mom’s shall drive clean cars!!

And yes ... we’ll be back tomorrow with something super fun!! :)

{Daily Mom-ME Moment} Play in the Leaves!

This past weekend was Thanksgiving here in Canada. I hope all my fellow Canadians had wonderful long weekends ... and that you got to eat lots of turkey!

We had a busy weekend! Lots of family dinners. Lots of turkey. Lots of fun!

It was a beautiful weekend here. The weather was gorgeous! It was hot ... but not too hot ... and sunny! So ... we spent lots of time outside enjoying it.

The one thing that I really enjoyed was playing in the leaves! We went for a few walks and hikes over the weekend, and I loved walking through the fallen leaves. We even went to our ski club and run up and down the hills! Good times!!

The leaves make a nice crunch as you walk on them. And you can kick them around and watch them fly! If you’re feeling real silly you can make a big pile of leaves and jump on it! My kids LOVE to do that!!

Yes ... it’s lots of fun to just play in the leaves. And that’s today’s Daily Mom-ME Moment.

Rake some leaves. Jump in the leaves. Throw the leaves around and watch them fly! Have fun playing in the leaves!

Wishing you a spectacular week!!! xoxoxo

{Daily Mom-ME Moment} Eat CHOCOLATE ... and get Philosophical!

Kathy ... this one’s for you!

Are you ready to have some fun? It’s Fun Friday ladies!! And what better way to enjoy our Friday than with CHOCOLATE!

I have a box of super yummy chocolates sitting here with me. I got them last week ... and I’ve done a really great job staying away from them. But today ... I will eat the chocolate!

No one’s home. Martin’s at work. The kids are all at school. It’s just me, my computer, and my box of chocolates. Hmm ... I wonder which one I’m gonna get first?

Have I shared with you yet my theory on life? I’m feeling philosophical as I’m sitting here eating my chocolate ...

I believe that Forrest Gump had it all wrong. Remember what he said? Forrest Gump said that life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.

Great movie. I loved it. But the theory is all wrong. I don’t like not knowing what I’m gonna get. (Except when eating chocolate. That makes it more fun. But not with life).

I like being in control. I like going after what I want ... and getting it.

I prefer to think of life like a Chinese food buffet! Grab your plate, head on over to the buffet, and pick and choose what you want.

Don’t like something? Push it to the side and don’t eat it.

Want more of something? Go back to the buffet and get some more!

And then dessert??!! ALL YOU CAN EAT!!!

Yes! Thinking of life as a Chinese food buffet is a much better way to go about it, don’t ya think? Decide what you want out of life ... and then go after it!!

But with chocolate? Sure! It’s fun to just bite in and not know which one you’re gonna get. So join me. Go get yourself a yummy box of chocolates. It’s OK. It’s Fun Friday! Today, all moms shall eat chocolate ... and enjoy!

Calling All Mommy Experts!

Are you a mom (or dad)? Are you an expert at something? Do you have some words of wisdom that you could share with other moms?

Would be willing to trade any words of mommy wisdom for fresh, new traffic to your website or blog?

If so, please read on!

Myself, along with Lexie Lane (from voiceBoks.com) are the process of creating a new information resource for moms. I can’t tell you too much about it now ... as we haven’t officially launched yet. Our projected launch date is coming up in about 2 weeks on October 18 (My bday ... yeay!!)

This new website is something completely new to the mommy community, and we’re so excited to share it with you! We know that this is going to be a great resource for moms for 2 reasons:

1. There's going to be a ton of useful information for moms, on a variety of topics
2. There’s going to be an opportunity for moms to contribute content to the site, in exchange for links and exposure back to their own site or blog.

Here’s why I’m writing this today ...

We’re looking for some moms to help us fill up the content. We’re looking for quality, informational articles to post on the site.

We’re looking for articles on the following topics:

• Beauty 
• Blogosphere 
• Business & finance 
• Children 
• Education 
• Entertainment 
• Family 
• Food 
• Living Green 
• Health 
• Hobbies 
• Home 
• Pregnancy 
• Self Help 
• Sports 
• Travel

Do you have something to share that fits into any of these categories? If so, we’d love to hear from you! We’re looking for INFORMATION articles. We’re not looking for blog posts. Think more reference-y (if that’s word!). How To’s, Step-by-Step lists, or tutorials would be great! Nothing written in first person.

Your article can be as long or as short as you’d like ... and you’re welcome to include some graphics. You’re also welcome to contribute as many articles as you’d like!

What’s in it for you? 

TRAFFIC! We’re expecting this new site to be a big hit! There’s nothing else like it out there, and with the research we’ve done, there is a need for it. Each of your articles will include your picture, your bio, and a link to your website (s). This back link is going to be amazing for your SEO! AND you’ll get tons of page views from your article.

So ... if you’re interested in extra traffic to your blog, then take a few minutes and write some articles. Please send your articles to mommyarticles@gmail.com.

Note that not all articles will be accepted. Be sure to follow an informational format (and not conversational blogging) to ensure your article is included.

Happy writing!!

Ps ... as an additional bonus, and our way of saying thank you, we’re going to be allowing all those who contribute articles first peek at this new site. We’re hoping to go into pre-launch next week ... and for those who submit articles, you’ll be the first ones in!

PPs ... we now have a Facebook page for our new secret site!! Click LIKE us on Facebook to stay up to date with all pre-launch info ...

{October 6, 2011} Alexa Drop Hop

It's time for this week's Alexa Drop Hop!

Alexa is very important when looking at website popularity. Basically, the lower your Alexa ranking, the more popular your site is. So ... we all want our Alexa rankings to DROP!

{Daily Mom-ME Moment} Be Thankful Today!

I’ve seen a lot of ladies blogging on Thursdays with a Thankful Thursday post. And today ... for a few reasons ... I want to make our Mom-ME Moment to be Thankful. There are a few reasons why ...

• This weekend is Thanksgiving up here in Canada. And there’s no better time to be thankful than on Thanksgiving! I mean ... that’s what Thanksgiving is all about, isn’t it?? Well ... other than the turkey of course! 

• Also this weekend is the Jewish Yom Kippur. It’s the holiest day of the year. It’s a time to atone for our sins, and to be thankful for what we have. 

• And it’s Thursday! It’s a great day to be thankful! 

So I’ve spent most of my morning reflecting on many things. One of which is what I’ve created and accomplished with this blog. I realized that I’ve now been doing my Daily Mom-ME Moments for over 4 months now!

On the one hand, I was feeling amazed that I’ve stuck with it for 4 months! And on the other hand, I was actually quite surprised to realize that it’s only been 4 months!! I feel like this blog, and my Mom-ME Moments, are a part of me. I feel like I’ve been doing them forever! And I was quite surprised to realize that it’s only been 4 months.

But coming back to what I’m thankful for ...

First and foremost, I’m thankful for my family. My husband and my kids are my world ... and I adore them! And I’m thankful for my whole wonderful family ... my parents, brothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, uncles and all my cousins! My family is very special and important to me. Thanks to all of you!

I’m also super thankful for my blogs, and all the wonderful mommy bloggers who have become my BFFs!!! I love my blogs. I love sharing my Daily Mom-ME Moments with you each day. And I LOVE helping you make your blogs pretty at my other blog, Mommy Blog Designs. (Plus .. I have a new site that I’m working on with my absolutely best-est BFF Lexie Lane. We’ll be launching it in 2 weeks ... and its going to be awesome!!!)

I have so much fun designing, and blogging. I’m so thankful to you, my readers. I’m so thankful for being able to share my life with you. Thank you!

So today ... take a few minutes and list a few things that you’re thankful for. Your Daily Mom-ME Moment today is to be thankful. You’re amazing. Thanks for reading!

{Daily Mom-ME Moment} Let's Feel Pretty Today!

“I feel Pretty! Oh so Pretty!”

Lol!! My sister and I used to sing that famous song from West Side Story over and over again when we were growing up! And now for some reason it’s stuck in my head today!

I want to feel pretty today.

Actually ... I have absolutely no where to go today ... other than picking kids up from school this afternoon. But ... I still want to feel pretty.

I think I’m going to go play with my lipstick. I have a whole ton of lipsticks ... that I NEVER wear!! Today ... I want to go try on some new shades. I’m going to spend a few minutes and ... just like my girls love to do ... I’m going to play with my make-up.

Do you like to wear make-up? I don’t wear it all the time. I put a little on when I go out ... but I pretty much stick with the same few shades of eye shadow and lipstick. I don’t get too adventurous. But today, I’m going to go make pretty.

Feel pretty with me! Spend a few minutes and do something different with your make-up. Even if you don’t have anywhere to go. Let’s feel pretty ... oh so pretty!